Helle Audun

› Helle has the very rare ability to make knives that are both beautiful and practical, and when it introduces a new limited-edition knife, you can guarantee it will be something special.

Fifty years in the making
For 2024 it has created the Audun, designed by, and named after, the chief handle maker who has worked for Helle since 1973. He plays a key role in the design of Helle knives and has a great deal of knowledge and experience of what makes a good knife. The new knife is the culmination of Audun’s 50 years of experience and is very much his ‘favourite’ knife.
The blade, made from Helle’s H3LS triple laminated steel, is just under 3½” long. With a scandi grind and a slight drop point profile, it is 3mm thick on the spine and has a stick-tang construction. Supplied very sharp and well-finished, this steel holds its edge extremely well and is very easy to maintain.

The handle maker’s handle
The handle features a smaller front piece made of reindeer antler, behind a stainless-steel protective plate and between two thin black spacers. The main section is made of curly birch, coloured with a dark red oil to give it a really distinctive finish. The two materials contrast well and look stunning. At 4¾” long, the handle is a good size for most hands and is also glove-friendly. The shape of the handle is unusual, with a completely flat underside, a deep middle section, and a large integral pommel at the back.
The flat section looks like it should be awkward and uncomfortable to hold, but the skill of the chief handle maker has ensured that this is not the case. The handle sits in your hand very comfortably, with the flat area finding its place on the middle section of your three largest fingers. The well-defined edges work to stop the handle from turning in your hand when twisting the knife, and the deep belly of the middle section further enhances the grip. Far from being uncomfortable, this is a very user-friendly knife handle and a real joy to use.
The knife comes with a good quality leather sheath that holds the knife securely by friction alone. There is a simple leather belt loop and a birch tree neatly embossed on the front.

Conclusion
The overall finish on the knife is outstanding, and the size makes it a perfect general-purpose outdoor tool. Although it will no doubt attract the attention of serious knife collectors, the Audun is a knife that really should be put to work in order to be fully appreciated. The visually striking handle is extremely user-friendly, and the unusual shape is very practical. When a knife handle designer is given free rein to design a whole knife, the result is a fantastic tool like the Audun, and with only 1,000 being available worldwide, it is well worth investing in as soon as you can.